For it is God who said: "Let light shine out of darkness" who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
2 Corinthians chapter 4 is such a great encouragement to me. I would recommend you read the entire chapter. It opens and talks about the ministry we have received. Do you know what a blessing it is to be in service to our Lord? Nothing makes my heart joyful like being used by God. What a privilege for the Creator of the Universe to allow me to serve in the humble way I can. It is what we were made for.
So in verse 6 I take to heart the instruction that God give. "Let light shine out of darkness" may God help me to live a life where others may be able to see the Light which is Jesus Christ in my life.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Psalm 40:3-4
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God: many will see and fear and will trust the Lord. How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Psalm 40:3-4
I admit I struggle with praising God when I am in a struggle.
I am praying that God change that in me. When I read this verse I want to have that new song. I know what it is like to have that sweet connecting with God when I praise him.The only thing that matters is him.That is what I crave. I find this sweet connection in my churches worship service when I allow myself to enter in.
Ever have a Sunday when you and your hubby had a fight right before church? When this happens to me I spend at least a portion thinking about that fight. Then I am sad that my focus was not on God. That time with God spurs we on to the activity God has prepared for me the week to come. God changes me to be my best.
I can also find these time with God in his word. The Bible is fantastic, the more I read it, the more I realize how much I hunger for more.
I admit I struggle with praising God when I am in a struggle.
I am praying that God change that in me. When I read this verse I want to have that new song. I know what it is like to have that sweet connecting with God when I praise him.The only thing that matters is him.That is what I crave. I find this sweet connection in my churches worship service when I allow myself to enter in.
Ever have a Sunday when you and your hubby had a fight right before church? When this happens to me I spend at least a portion thinking about that fight. Then I am sad that my focus was not on God. That time with God spurs we on to the activity God has prepared for me the week to come. God changes me to be my best.
I can also find these time with God in his word. The Bible is fantastic, the more I read it, the more I realize how much I hunger for more.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of faith develops perseverance James 1:2-3
What does it mean "Consider it pure joy?" In my mind when I consider this I think about joy as times with my husband that I had such a great day that my smile was stuck in the ON position. Times when I laughed with my son so hard my sides ached. Times when my daughter and I were so excited over new haircuts after a great lunch together.
Then I think about the scripture, Consider it pure joy, when I face trails of many kinds. I have trouble reconciling this in my mind. I was thinking about this again tonight when a new thought came to mind.
The understanding of God's gift to us in Jesus is the key to understanding the pure joy that is mentioned in this passage. I am so grateful to our God and Creator for this precious thing he has given us called life. For those of us that have accept Christ as Lord it will be an eternal gift. I have so much joy. That is the pure joy from the scripture. The more I pray that God gives me the mind of Christ, the better equipped I am to deal with the trials that I will face. The battle is not mine it is Gods. My job is to trust him in whatever circumstance I find myself.
When I am not in the middle of the trail I know that joy this passage is talking about. Thank you God for caring me through the trails of my life. I pray that God blesses us and teaches us that pure joy from this scripture.
What does it mean "Consider it pure joy?" In my mind when I consider this I think about joy as times with my husband that I had such a great day that my smile was stuck in the ON position. Times when I laughed with my son so hard my sides ached. Times when my daughter and I were so excited over new haircuts after a great lunch together.
Then I think about the scripture, Consider it pure joy, when I face trails of many kinds. I have trouble reconciling this in my mind. I was thinking about this again tonight when a new thought came to mind.
The understanding of God's gift to us in Jesus is the key to understanding the pure joy that is mentioned in this passage. I am so grateful to our God and Creator for this precious thing he has given us called life. For those of us that have accept Christ as Lord it will be an eternal gift. I have so much joy. That is the pure joy from the scripture. The more I pray that God gives me the mind of Christ, the better equipped I am to deal with the trials that I will face. The battle is not mine it is Gods. My job is to trust him in whatever circumstance I find myself.
When I am not in the middle of the trail I know that joy this passage is talking about. Thank you God for caring me through the trails of my life. I pray that God blesses us and teaches us that pure joy from this scripture.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Micah 6:8
"[God] has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Last night was the final tour of The Truth Project from Focus on the Family at our church. There was a story on the final tour about a man named Flash. Flash in most Christian circles would be an outcast. He owns a tatoo shop and has many tatoos on his body. The type of person that many Christians would shy away from. Last night something touched me. I saw Flash in the way God sees him. How many people like Flash are all around us? There are people within our own church that need to know they are loved. It might come from a hug or a smile. God might want you to talk to them or share a scripture. God please reveal your ways to us. What does it mean to act justly? I think one thing we can do is to be on the lookout for the people who need to be loved and act accordingly. Simply put love them as God loves us.
Last night was the final tour of The Truth Project from Focus on the Family at our church. There was a story on the final tour about a man named Flash. Flash in most Christian circles would be an outcast. He owns a tatoo shop and has many tatoos on his body. The type of person that many Christians would shy away from. Last night something touched me. I saw Flash in the way God sees him. How many people like Flash are all around us? There are people within our own church that need to know they are loved. It might come from a hug or a smile. God might want you to talk to them or share a scripture. God please reveal your ways to us. What does it mean to act justly? I think one thing we can do is to be on the lookout for the people who need to be loved and act accordingly. Simply put love them as God loves us.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Titus 2:11-12
"The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." Titus 2:11-12
I see the world all around me, pulling me, tempting me to watch a visual image or an unwholesome television show. Can I resist? A little sexual image is no big deal it screams at me. The Adam Lamberts of the world say “let me show you what the norm is for me in the bedroom”. Never mind I never asked. I can't even escape it by not watching the program because at 6am on Fox News Channel, there his bad behavior being covered as something we all must know about. How about a scene of murder? Is that something I should really be watching? I know the answer before I ask the question. Why am I drawn to watch it? How about the images in the dramas where a woman is yelling at her kids or disrespecting her significant other. The world doesn't even respect us enough to assume that marriage would be the norm in a women's life.
Then there is God's Word the Bible, reminding me that I am different, God expect more of me. I have grace. I have his gift of salvation. He is depending on me and all Christians to be different. To stand for the things that glorify him. I am called in his word to "Say No". No to the pull of sin in the world. I am praying that God will show me what that means that I would live a life of self-control, an upright life. A godly life now in this world. The world that tempts and pulls me. Lord help us as Christian to stand for you.
I see the world all around me, pulling me, tempting me to watch a visual image or an unwholesome television show. Can I resist? A little sexual image is no big deal it screams at me. The Adam Lamberts of the world say “let me show you what the norm is for me in the bedroom”. Never mind I never asked. I can't even escape it by not watching the program because at 6am on Fox News Channel, there his bad behavior being covered as something we all must know about. How about a scene of murder? Is that something I should really be watching? I know the answer before I ask the question. Why am I drawn to watch it? How about the images in the dramas where a woman is yelling at her kids or disrespecting her significant other. The world doesn't even respect us enough to assume that marriage would be the norm in a women's life.
Then there is God's Word the Bible, reminding me that I am different, God expect more of me. I have grace. I have his gift of salvation. He is depending on me and all Christians to be different. To stand for the things that glorify him. I am called in his word to "Say No". No to the pull of sin in the world. I am praying that God will show me what that means that I would live a life of self-control, an upright life. A godly life now in this world. The world that tempts and pulls me. Lord help us as Christian to stand for you.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Psalm 90:12
"Teach us to number our days right, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12
As the New Year begins this is a time where we have a fresh start. I am focused on how to spend more of my efforts and thoughts on God. I was inspired to read this passage today. I am praying that God will... Teach me to number my days right, I am praying that I may gain a heart of wisdom.
I want to give all I am to his purposes. What an amazing year this will be.
As the New Year begins this is a time where we have a fresh start. I am focused on how to spend more of my efforts and thoughts on God. I was inspired to read this passage today. I am praying that God will... Teach me to number my days right, I am praying that I may gain a heart of wisdom.
I want to give all I am to his purposes. What an amazing year this will be.
January 01, 2010
Romans Chapter 12
These are some thoughts that I have had after reading Romans chapter 12. Romans 12 has really had so much wisdom for me in the past six months. I have read it so often since a dear friend and mentor Stu Kissinger went home to be with the Lord. It might be helpful to read the Romans chapter 12 prior to reading the remainder of this blog.
Of course Romans 12:1-2 encourages me to live my life in every way for God : even my thoughts, even my mind for him.12:3: In this verse I find direction of humility to be applied to my conduct. It is only by his grace, a gift, that I have been saved. Thank God!! May we begin 2010 reminded how blessed we are to be called daughters of God.12:5: This verse reminds me that we as believers are called by God, in unity with each other, to be the body of Christ. For my dear sisters in fellowship with me, as the women of New Hope Bible Church, we need to have that unity.
12:6-8: This scripture says we all have gifts to be used in service to God. I want to encourage each of us to recommit ourselves to using our gifts. Just think of the impact we could have on our area for the Lord.12:9: Love is mentioned in this verse. Love without hypocrisy (take an honest look at how we love each other), abhor what is evil (I am praying that God will guard our hearts, minds and actions from evil). May we cling to what is good. May we as women, wives, and mothers, seek as our mission to be totally sold out for what is good and glorifies God.12:10-11: This passage is about being devoted to one another. We see many things changing in our world. It is more important than ever to be there for each other. As Pastor Terry has said several times, we need to know each other and be in close community. As the women of New Hope Bible Church, we need to give preference to one another. We need to be serving the Lord with diligence, being fervent in spirit.
12:12:This verse in Romans talks about rejocing in hope, persevering in tribulation and being devoted to prayer.I have thought about many who have gone through tough things this year. I have heard from their lips "I am praising the Lord, I trust the Lord, I am praying about this circumstance." I have seen God's hand in these cases and he never fails to be our God through these things. As the women of New Hope Bible Church, we need to rejoice in hope, persevere and be devoted to prayer. God promises that lives will be changed as we do this.
12:13-21: These verses in a nut shell call us to hospitality, to bless those that persecute us, and to be of the same mind toward one another. The word also calls us to be at peace with all men. Lastly, the chapter ends with the command "Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good".
As I meditate on this chapter, I see areas where I know I need change. I also have learned this year that I can't change myself. God is the only one who can change my heart. So, in 2010, I am going to commit to meditation and prayer on Romans 12 and other parts of the Bible. I will be waiting expectantly for God to transform my life. If you have found some areas you need to have God's transformation, please join me, let me know so I can be in prayer for you. Let’s trust God fully in 2010 to direct our lives. Happy New Year.
Grace, Sherry from VA
These are some thoughts that I have had after reading Romans chapter 12. Romans 12 has really had so much wisdom for me in the past six months. I have read it so often since a dear friend and mentor Stu Kissinger went home to be with the Lord. It might be helpful to read the Romans chapter 12 prior to reading the remainder of this blog.
Of course Romans 12:1-2 encourages me to live my life in every way for God : even my thoughts, even my mind for him.12:3: In this verse I find direction of humility to be applied to my conduct. It is only by his grace, a gift, that I have been saved. Thank God!! May we begin 2010 reminded how blessed we are to be called daughters of God.12:5: This verse reminds me that we as believers are called by God, in unity with each other, to be the body of Christ. For my dear sisters in fellowship with me, as the women of New Hope Bible Church, we need to have that unity.
12:6-8: This scripture says we all have gifts to be used in service to God. I want to encourage each of us to recommit ourselves to using our gifts. Just think of the impact we could have on our area for the Lord.12:9: Love is mentioned in this verse. Love without hypocrisy (take an honest look at how we love each other), abhor what is evil (I am praying that God will guard our hearts, minds and actions from evil). May we cling to what is good. May we as women, wives, and mothers, seek as our mission to be totally sold out for what is good and glorifies God.12:10-11: This passage is about being devoted to one another. We see many things changing in our world. It is more important than ever to be there for each other. As Pastor Terry has said several times, we need to know each other and be in close community. As the women of New Hope Bible Church, we need to give preference to one another. We need to be serving the Lord with diligence, being fervent in spirit.
12:12:This verse in Romans talks about rejocing in hope, persevering in tribulation and being devoted to prayer.I have thought about many who have gone through tough things this year. I have heard from their lips "I am praising the Lord, I trust the Lord, I am praying about this circumstance." I have seen God's hand in these cases and he never fails to be our God through these things. As the women of New Hope Bible Church, we need to rejoice in hope, persevere and be devoted to prayer. God promises that lives will be changed as we do this.
12:13-21: These verses in a nut shell call us to hospitality, to bless those that persecute us, and to be of the same mind toward one another. The word also calls us to be at peace with all men. Lastly, the chapter ends with the command "Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good".
As I meditate on this chapter, I see areas where I know I need change. I also have learned this year that I can't change myself. God is the only one who can change my heart. So, in 2010, I am going to commit to meditation and prayer on Romans 12 and other parts of the Bible. I will be waiting expectantly for God to transform my life. If you have found some areas you need to have God's transformation, please join me, let me know so I can be in prayer for you. Let’s trust God fully in 2010 to direct our lives. Happy New Year.
Grace, Sherry from VA
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